Qatar Football World Cup will change negative perceptions about the region, says high jump world champion Barshim

Doha (Qatar), Nov 16 (IANS) World and Olympic high jump champion Mutaz Barshim said the FIFA World Cup will help change the 'negative perceptions about the region and believes Qatar's staging of the football showpiece event presents a unique opportunity to unite people through their shared love of football.

"The World Cup will positively impact our society by showcasing our culture worldwide and helping people to create friendships and build networks. It is a golden opportunity to change negative perceptions about the region and create new and meaningful connections," said Barshim, who is also a FIFA World Cup Ambassador.

Growing up, Barshim was inspired by his father, who was also a track and field athlete. Barshim would follow his father to the local training club before later joining the Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence - where he soon became one of the country's most promising track and field athletes.

Barshim's breakthrough year came in 2010 when he won the World Junior Championships. He has won a slew of medals since, including three World Athletics Championships titles, in 2017, 2019 and 2022. He claimed Olympic silver in 2012 and 2016 before bagging gold at Tokyo 2020 after sharing the high jump title with Italian Gianmarco Tamberi. Barshim is the first Qatari to win Olympic gold in a track and field event.

"I have lived the dream of being at a global event and it having a major impact on me. The things I have learned, the experiences I went through, the relationships I built, the friendships I formed and the milestones I have been able to achieve - they all made a really positive change in my life and I can't wait to see that happen here in Qatar during the World Cup," the champion high jumper said, whose younger brother Meshaal is part of the Qatar national team taking part in the World Cup and guards the goal for the host nation at the 29-day tournament.

Qatar 2022 will be held in eight state-of-the-art stadiums from 20 November to 18 December. The tournament will get underway when hosts Qatar face Ecuador at the majestic Al Bayt Stadium.

Barshim said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that won't be repeated. We're hosting the World Cup in an Arab country and a Muslim country for the first time. I hope everyone comes and makes the most of this experience to learn more about Arab hospitality and all different cultures."